For immediate release

ECTACO Adds Pen Scanner to SpeechGuard

April 8, 2008 8:30 AM EDT

NEW YORK, April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Ectaco, Inc., the world leader in the development of electronic dictionaries, translators and linguistic software, has introduced a pen scanner to complement SpeechGuard.

Currently used by more than 300 agencies in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and international waters, SpeechGuard has helped eliminate language barriers. The GI-5 model, customized and developed along with the U.S. Armed Forces has aided efforts in the Middle East to afford soldiers the ability to communicate with Arabic, Dari, Pashto, and Farsi speakers. The PD- 5, which was developed by and for law enforcement agencies, has benefitted many civilians as well as the agencies that use them.

Recognized as the sole developer and manufacturer of SpeechGuard, ECTACO's law enforcement and military clients inquired about the ability to translate non-English text expeditiously without the assistance of a human translator. Now standard with the vast array of SpeechGuard accessories is a pen scanner, an easy to use tool that plugs into the host device to afford swift translation of numerous languages to and from English.

"Beyond the ability for SpeechGuard users to communicate with non-English speakers in a plethora of languages by merely speaking into the unit, or using Machine Translation modules the addition of the pen scanner seemed to be a natural progression", says ECTACO President David Lubinitsky. "Many of our SpeechGuard customers have shared countless scenarios of not being able to address situations expeditiously without the aid of someone capable of speaking the language, let alone reading it. Hence, we now include the pen scanner to accommodate practically every scenario possible, including requests by Military Intelligence, detectives, Department of Homeland Security agencies and others."

In addition to the pen scanner, SpeechGuard still maintains its notable components of Cultural Awareness Notes, Audio Phrasebooks and Machine Translation technology for multiple languages, audio recorder, and the capability to connect to external amplification devices like PA systems or loudspeakers. Updates and battery charging can be accomplished by connecting units via mini-USB to any PC or notebook.

Since the founding of the company in 1990, six generations of translators and dictionaries that include more than 50 languages have been developed. They are used by millions around the world. Businessmen and tourists, first responders and students all rely on the brand that is sold in 16 countries.